Cut a Little Off The Top: Good For Haircuts, But Bad For Trees

Cut a Little Off The Top: Good For Haircuts, But
Bad For Trees

On the streets, it is known as "topping," "heading,"
"tipping," "hat-racking" or "rounding over," and
Fairfax County Government urban foresters want homeowners to cut it out.
Radically pruning trees by loping off their leafy tops makes trees more
unstable and dangerous.

The International Society of Arboriculture recommends these pruning
practices instead:

Use reduction pruning instead of topping.
Reduction pruning reduces the size of longer branches by cutting back
lateral ones. Some branches are removed at their point of
origin.

Avoid excessive thinning
of interior branches. It can lead to rapid growth of upright interior
shoots and limb breakage.

Before pruning, consult a certified arborist, who
can teach homeowners how to safely maintain and care for trees.

Due to the effects of Hurricane Isabel last year, many homeowners are
concerned about trees growing too close to homes or utility lines.
However, there are effective ways to trim back large trees without
resorting to topping. Topping makes trees more susceptible to insects and
disease; leads trees to decay or die; and results in trees more likely to
topple in windy conditions.

For removal of dead or hazardous trees on public property, county
residents can seek help from several government agencies. For trees
within the right-of-way on most public streets, call the Virginia
Department of Transportation at 703-383-2105, TTY 711. For trees on
county parkland, call the Fairfax County Park Authority at 703-324-8594,
TTY 711. For trees on active construction projects, call the Fairfax
County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services at
703-324-1950, TTY 711.

To learn more about proper pruning and tree maintenance, contact the
Fairfax County Urban Forestry Division at 703-324-1770, TTY 711.

FAIRFAX COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF
NONDISCRIMINATION IN ALL COUNTY PROGRAMS, SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES AND
WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS UPON REQUEST. TO REQUEST SPECIAL
ACCOMMODATIONS, CALL 703-324-3187, TTY 703-324-2935. PLEASE ALLOW FIVE
WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF EVENTS IN ORDER TO MAKE THE NECESSARY
ARRANGEMENTS